Game apparatus



' 1,629,386 May s. HUMMERSON GAME APPARATUS Filed Sept. 50. 1926 INVENTOR:

- A TTORNEY.

Patented May 17, 1927.

outrun. srarss,

teas-s86 ear-s air "mes.

SAMUEL HUMMER/SON, OF CLAY TOWNSHIP, CARROLL COUNTY, INDIANA.

GAME APPARATUS.

Application filed September 30, 1926.. Serial No. 138,752.

an improved amusement game device that shall be so constructed as to definitely indicate the skill of the player and different degrees of skill.

Another object is to provide animproved amusement game apparatus of simple con struction which will be attractive to visitors of amusement places and permit of operation without requiring much time in studying the mode of operation, which apparatus shall be adapted to be readily transported from "place to place and set up for use, and which shall be durable and economical in use.

With the above-mentioned and other objects in view, the invention consists principally in an overturning figure of such construction as to be adapted to remain upside down as a result of skillful ball throwing, the invention consisting further in the parts and combinations and arrangements of parts as hereinafter particularly described and claimed.

Referring to the drawings,-Figure 1 is a front view of the improved game apparatus; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view ap-' proximately central, and Fig. 3 is a side view partially in section.

Similar reference characters in the differcnt figures of the drawings indicate crresponding elements or features of construc tion herein referred to in detail.

A practical embodiment of the invention comprises a suitable stand or frame which may be adapted to support any suitable number of figures, one figure being sufficient to illustrate and describe the invention. As shown the stand comprises a suitable base 1 which may be suitably secured in place by any suitable means, two standards 2 and 3 being secured to the base, preferably so as to be inclined forwardly. An axle shaft 4 is inserted through suitable holes in the upper portion of the standards with separated thimbles 5 and 5 on the shaft and nuts 6 and 6 on the ends of the shaft to secure it to the standards. 7

A figure holder is provided which is of novel construction and comprises an arm member which maybe composed of wood and having. a main part 7 and a relatively shorter back part 8 secured to the main part by means of a bolt 9, the mainpart having a beveled upper rear face 10 and a relatively narrow normally lower end 11 in which is a bolt 12 that is connected to one end portion of the back part with a separating thimble 13 on the bolt between the parts, the part 8 preferably having a relatively thin portion 14; to which the bolt is directly con neeted The rearward side'of the main part preferably is cut away a suitable distance from the end, 11 so that a slot 15 is provided in the holder with a journal bearing "16 at the end of the cut away portionor inner end of the slot or the slot may be otherwise formed in the holder, the journal hearing being located at a suitable distance from either end of the holder. The bolt 12 and thimble constitutes the outer end ofthe slot and may be removed when connecting the holder to the shaft. The construction is such that the bearing 16 is directly supported on the shaft between the thimbles thereon and is suitably balanced so as to stand in approximately vertical position when not disturbed, with the slot beneath the shaft. v

The holder supports and carries a suitable figure onthe front of its normally upper portion, preferably on a'suitable figure plate securedto the holder and having any desired figure painted on its face, such as a grotesque representation of an animal 'hav ing a body portion. 17 mainly arranged higher than the shaft and the footportion 18 somewhat lower than the shaft, the body portion having a head portion 19 thereon which is located forward of the beveled back 10. Preferably the holder is approximately balanced by providing the back part 8 with a relatively large lower portion 20 affording considerable weight. Preferably the shaft has washers 21' thereon at opposite sides of the figure plate holder.

In practical use the player uses balls, which may be of the character of base balls, and they are thrown at their head portion of the figure with the purpose of throwing the ball with sufficient force to overturn the figure until the holder slides down and hangs on the shaft 4 upside down, as in Fig. 3, indicating higher skill and force in throwing the ball. In some cases the figure may be struck with less force or on its body portion and cause mere rocking motion, usually amusing to bystanders, clearly indicating a lesser degree of skill and force in throwing the ball. attendant turns it back to normal position in which it remains until overturned as before in the practice of the game.

What :is claimed as new is:

1. A: game apparatus including ahorizontal shaft, means to support the shaft, and afigure plate provided with a holder having a shifting pivotal connection with the shaft permittingoverturning and vertical shifting of the holder.

2A, game apparatus including asupporting stand, a shaft horizontally secured to the stand, and a figure plate provided with a holder supported on the shaft to rock thereon, the holder having a longitudinal slot normally beneaththe shaftpermitting the holder to overturn and slide downward invertedly.

' 3, A game apparatus including a support ing stand, ashaft horizontally secured to the stand, afigure plate holder having a journal bearing rotatably supported on the shaft and a slot permitting the holder to overturn and slide across the shaft and downward into relatively inverted position, and figure plate secu ed to the f nt-0f the holder. c

4, A game apparatus comprising a base,

Aftereach figure is'overturned an.

standards secured in forwardly inclined position to the base, an axle shafthorizontally secured to the upper portions of the standards, a figure plate holder having a journal bearing in proximity to the longitudinal 'oente r'of the holder and a slot on one side of said. bearing through which said shaft extends, the holder normally being pivotally supported uprightly by said bearing on the shaft and permitted to be overturned to hang upside down on the shaft, and a figure carried on the normally upper forward portion of the holder. 7 p

5. In a game apparatus, the combination with a horizontally.supported axle shaft, of

a figure holder comprising a main part and a back part arranged together, one of the parts being partiallyv cut away to constitute a slot on one side of the longitudinal center of the main part receiving the axle shaft,

the inner end of the slot beingadapted to SAMUEL HUMBIERSON. 

